Report: U.S. Won't Recognize Jerusalem as Israel's Capital on Official Docs

Even though President Donald Trump announced earlier this week the U.S. would formally recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital, State Department officials state "Jerusalem, Israel" would not be listed as a place that exists on official documents, the Washington Free Beacon reported Friday.

What that means is that, though Trump's announcement has been formally codified into U.S. policy, "Jerusalem, Israel" will not appear on passports, maps and other official documents. It also means that Americans born in Jerusalem can't list Israel as their birth nation, as it is still not recognized as being located in Israel.

The State Department stance on the issue has raised outrage among some lawmakers who view it as a way to undermine Trump's declaration.

"The president is the commander-in-chief and America's sole organ when it comes to conducting foreign policy," said Rep. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., who is a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. "Article II of the Constitution does not vest this authority in bureaucrats in the State Department."

"The State Department must permit Americans born in Jerusalem to list 'Jerusalem, Israel' on their passports and must follow the logical implications of this historic recognition in other policy areas," DeSantis added.

The issue becomes thorny as State Department officials maintain details like the exact location of Jerusalem was up for debate, despite the president's announcement. Officials also maintained U.S. policy would remain the same, with one official stating it was "quite a complex issue" that would continue to be studied.

"There is no change in policy at this time," one State Department official stated. "We will provide any new guidance as and when appropriate."

Even though President Donald Trump announced earlier this week the U.S. would formally recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital, State Department officials state "Jerusalem, Israel" would not be listed as a place that exists on official documents, the Washington Free Beacon...

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